Donald Trump and the Declining Prestige of US Democracy

The nomination of Donald Trump, that an erratic candidacy could go so far, reflects poorly on the United States and other democracies. Admittedly, the businessman is not a practiced politician. The troubled campaign, lacking in policy specifics, has been marked with lies and insults against any who criticize him. Comments during debates and public rallies for the world to see often carry an undercurrent of authoritarianism that counters democratic values. “America is widely regarded as the “leader of the free world,” writes Gideon Rachman for Financial times. “So the rise of Mr Trump threatens to damage the prestige of democracy everywhere.” Rachman describes Trump as “manifestly unqualified,” and urges democracies to address the source of so much voter bitterness including “economic stagnation, inequality, illegal immigration, the rise of social media.” Countries must overcome polarization, anger and reliance on arguments lacking in reason and evidence. Rachman concludes that a serious blow has been dealt to the reputation of the West’s systems of governance. – YaleGlobal